A Canine Christmas at the Collar Club in WeHo
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — The Collar Club will host its 7th Annual Canine Christmas & Holiday Tree Lighting Festival on Saturday, December 6 • 3–7 PM at the West Hollywood Social Park™, marking one of the city’s most anticipated LGBTQ+ holiday traditions.
This year’s ceremony welcomes West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers as Guest of Honor, joining founder Paul Leonard — U.S. military veteran, entrepreneur, restaurateur, and advocate for foster youth, community care, and animal welfare — supported by anchor partners Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and the United States Marine Corps.
“Growing up in the foster network taught me the weight of silence and the strength of acknowledgment. With this event, we ensure no child or animal in West Hollywood is overlooked — every voice deserves volume, dignity, and joy this season,” Leonard said.
A Holiday Experience — Alice in a Winter Wonderland
Guests are encouraged to arrive in fashion-forward white attire, inspired by the evening’s immersive aesthetic concept:
A L I C E I N W I N T E R W O N D E R L A N D
The festival will feature hors d’oeuvres and a curated tasting menu, professional photography and media-friendly capture zones, luxury gift bags, holiday swag and surprise giveaways, partner discount activations, collaborative holiday promotions, and live charitable engagements supporting youth, pets, and families.
Spotlight Highlights
- Best Dressed Dog → Premium gift bag + spotlight feature
- Top Donor → Public recognition + high-value gift certificate
Rooted in Community Impact
This year’s charitable drive supports:
- U.S. Marine Corps — Toys for Tots
- Foster America (501c3) — advancing long-term success for youth in care
- Warm Soles Initiative — providing shoes + essentials to families in crisis
- West Hollywood Food Bank
- Pets and families in need across Los Angeles County — including partnership efforts with The Helen Woodward Foundation, Whole Foods Market, Intelligentsia Coffee, and Sprouts Farmers Market
Attendees are asked to bring one canned good and one new unwrapped toy to ensure no foster youth or family goes unseen this season.
EVENT DETAILS
7th Annual Canine Christmas & Holiday Tree Lighting Festival
Saturday, December 6 • 3–7 PM
Dress Code: Fashion-forward white
Theme: Alice in a Winter Wonderland
Bring: 1 canned good + 1 new toy
The Collar Club – West Hollywood Social Park™
8490 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
Sponsorship Notes
Primary sponsors are confirmed and active. Additional brands may inquire for base-tier participation through gifting, tasting support, product placement, or charitable match contributions.
There will not be a step-and-repeat wall; however, photo + media capture opportunities will be abundant throughout the venue.
Media & Partnership Contact
members@thecollarclub.dog
424-443-4422
The Collar Club, West Hollywood’s luxury pet social house, will kick off the season with A Canine Christmas from 3–7 PM Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8490 Santa Monica Blvd. The afternoon fête will feature the lighting of one of the community’s largest Christmas trees — a sparkling landmark visible from the iconic La Cienega/Santa Monica Blvd intersection — and the debut of what’s sure to become a WeHo holiday classic.
Expect dogs. Expect glam. Expect a little chaos. And above all, expect a celebration that’s as much about giving back as it is about taking amazing photos under the Club’s glowing golden gates.
A Holiday Event With Heart (and a Backstory to Match)
This year’s celebration is inspired by Founder & CEO Paul Leonard’s extraordinary journey — from a teenager sleeping in his car and showering in high school gym bathrooms, to building multiple companies, serving in the U.S. military, graduating from Ivy League universities, and now opening what has quickly become West Hollywood’s most design-forward pet destination.
Leonard often says he “turned lemons into lemon groves,” and A Canine Christmas is an extension of that philosophy: when life gives you struggle, give the world something generous, joyful, and a little fabulous in return.
A Community-Driven Celebration With Real Impact
The event marks the launch of West Hollywood’s Most Glam Giving Drive — Because Even Icons Need Help Sometimes, supporting local kids, foster youth, and families facing food insecurity. Donations benefit multiple local charities and lead into The Collar Club’s annual Toys for Tots Holiday Party, presented in partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps, Toys for Tots, the National Youth Care Foster Alliance, and with added support this year from Whole Foods Market.
To spark generosity, guests who bring a canned good and a friend will receive a 20% community-impact discount across participating Collar Club services. Whether someone donates one can or a trunkload, the discount is the Club’s way of saying: thanks for showing up for the people who need it most.
Sponsors & Community Partners
The Collar Club’s 2024–2025 holiday drive is made possible with the support of:
- U.S. Marine Corps / Toys for Tots
- National Youth Care Foster Alliance
- Whole Foods Market
- Local WeHo businesses contributing food, services, and holiday cheer
As a veteran-owned, LGBTQ+–owned, and deeply community-invested business, The Collar Club wants to make one thing clear: this holiday season is about giving joy, giving dignity, and giving every kid (and every dog) a chance to feel like a star.
A Festive Afternoon for Pets and Their People
Guests can enjoy:
- Dog-friendly activities & festive photo ops
- Complimentary hot chocolate, pup treats, and seasonal sips
- Coffee, cocktails, and bites from Collar & Foam
- Holiday cheer under one of West Hollywood’s largest Christmas trees
“West Hollywood isn’t just dogs and cappuccinos,” Leonard said. “We have families in this neighborhood who are quietly struggling. If we can turn a walk with your dog into a moment of impact, then we’re doing what we came here to do.”
A CANINE CHRISTMAS
- Saturday, Dec. 6 | 3–7 PM
- The Collar Club — West Hollywood Social Park™
- 8490 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
- Complimentary refreshments provided by Collar & Foam
- Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-canine-christmas-festival-and-tree-lighting-tickets-1968291020427?aff=erelexpmlt
Because in Hollywood, everyone’s a star — but this season, the spotlight belongs to the community.